Notorious Newton - 421 N Main

Murder on Main

Shortly before 10:00 on Thursday morning, February 14, 1895, Thomas Williams, the head cook for the Clark Hotel, stepped out of P. Byer's Store at 421 Main after placing an order. He walked south toward the Clark Hotel and had reached Fred Brandt's place when Patrick Rickman rushed out.

Some eyewitnesses said that Rickman shouted, "Now I've got you!" before shooting his No. 44 Colt Navy Revolver at Williams. Williams ran and Rickman fired again hitting Williams in the back. Rickman then chased Williams. The two continued to fight. Rickman threw Williams down the stairway to a basement on the south side of the Clark Hotel. He continued to beat Williams with the gun handle. One observer described Rickman as "insane with rage" and Williams "powerless to help himself."

Marshall Ainsworth came to the scene and tried to disarm Rickman with little success. Two men, W.C. Conrad and Mart Covert, tried to help. Finally, Covert gave two blows to the head and was able to daze Rickman enough that Ainsworth was able to get the gun away. By the time they were able to separate the two men six shots had been fired. Williams had a gunshot wound and was severely beaten.

Williams was carried to Dr. O.W. Roff, where he was pronounced dead.

In the Coroner's Inquisition later that day, it was noted that Rickman shot and killed a man on Main street and "more than hundred men saw the brutal act."

Thomas Williams, a Black man, was roughly 30 years of age, described as "quiet, industrious, quite a flashy dresser." He had worked for Van Duyn, manager at the Clark Hotel, for 4-5 years. The initial newspaper reports note that he had a wife and child. The report also noted that this "was not the first experience of this sort" involving Williams. However, "for a good number of years he has borne a good reputation."

Patrick Rickman was well-known in Newton and described as "a powerfully built negro of large mold and fine physical build, about 35 years . . . one-eighth Indian and has always been a steady and industrious man." A builder by trade and he had even served for a time on the police force.

The reporter for the Newton Daily Republican noted that the cause of the fight "was the same old story. A man came between husband and wife and paid his life as a forfeit."

An inquisition was held. Of the men interviewed for the inquest most knew Rickman. Only three knew Williams, but not very well. Only one of those interviewed did not know either man.

The jurors conclusion

"Thomas Williams (Colored) a resident of Newton, Harvey County Kansas, came to his death as the result of a Gun shot wound from a Revolver in the hand of Patrick Rickman (Colored) on Main Street City of Newton, Harvey County, Kansas on the 14th day of February 1895 about the hour of 10 o'clock a.m. upon the above named Thomas Williams (Colored)

Patrick Rickman was charged with 1st Degree Murder for the death of Thomas Williams on February 14, 1895.The charged carried the possibility of the death penalty. On July 10, 1895, the Newton Daily Republican began coverage of the trial.

Harvey County Attorney, Charles E. Branine spoke for 16 minutes, describing the details of what happened the morning of February 14, 1895. He concluded that the because of the "motive and spirit of the act committed by the defendant" jury would be "unable to return any other verdict than guilty as charged."

Attorney Charles Bucher gave the opening statement for the defense. He talked for 30 minutes, describing a family man that found evidence of his wife's adultery. The resulting despair led him to become insane. Bucher concluded that "it would be proved that insanity was in the Rickman blood and that several of Pat's relatives had died . . . with diseased minds." The defense claimed Temporary Insanity.

After several days of testimony, the case went to the jury. The jury returned with the verdict after an hour and 15 minutes.

"When the clerk of the court Foltz read the words 'not guilty' such a shout went up from the court room that no doubt was left as to the popular feeling on the subject. Pat Rickman is a free man."

Kristine Schmucker, Curator, Harvey County Historical Museum & Archives, Published 06/23/2017 Voices of Harvey County.